Machine for transfer printing onto curved surfaces



Feb. 20, 1951 v. J. TENETY ,5

AMACHINE FOR TRANSFER PRINTING ONTO CURVED SURFACES Filed May 6, 1947 6Sheets-Sheet l Lu v INVENTOR Vmcmf J7me? ATTORNEY Feb. 20, 1951 v. J.TENETY 63 MACHINE FOR TRANSFER PRINTING ONTO CURVED SURFACES Filed May6, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 N l\ m 8 w INVENTOR. mm! J. The? BYMXUW .v. J.TENETY 2,542,063

MACHINE FOR TRANSFER PRINTING ONTO CURVED SURFACES Feb. 20, 1951 6Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 6. 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 MQN aw INVENTOR.

V. J. TENETY NNN Feb. 20, 1951 MACHINE FoR TRANSFER PRINTING ONTO CURVEDSURFACES Filed May 6. 194'? w mm RN @N mmw mm\ mm RN 3 V. J. TENETY Feb.20, 1951 MACHINE FOR TRANSFER PRINTING ONTO CURVED SURFACES 6Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 6. 1947 2N mawl 3 NN NN 3 mm VN MN Qm mw mNNMNN NNN INVENTOR. Vmrani J. 72082? BY 4 V. J. TENETY Feb. 20, 1951MACHINE FOR TRANSFER PRINTING ONTO CURVED SURFACES 6 Sheets-Sheet 6Filed May 6. 1947 INVENTOR. 7102012? J. Tnezfy Patented Feb. 20, 1951MACHINE FOR TRANSFER PRINTING ONTO CURVED SURFACES Vincent J. Tenety,Jersey City, N. vJ.; Helen M. Tenety executrix of said Vincent J.Tenety, de-

ceased Application May 6, 1947, Serial No. 746,358

11 Claims.

The present invention relates to a new improved machine for transferprinting onto curved surfaces, especially of containers and the like.

Although it is known to print onto plane surfaces of rectangularcontainers, for instance, by

aligning such plane surfaces on the bed of a conventional fiat-bed proofpress, of the type known in the paper printing art, with an impressionplate, and thereupon transferring the design onto said plane surface bymeans of an offset blanket roller traveling on the longitudinal tracksof said proof press, this economical and simple method is not possibleof application where curved surfaces are to be printed. This drawbackhas now been eliminated by the machine of myinvention,

wherein mechanical means are provided which compels a transfer rollerinto releasably engageable printing contact with a rotated blade.supported curved surface and rotates said roller, while maintained insuch contact, through an angle sufdcient to contact all of the designcarried by said roller with said surface.

The application of my machine is by no means limitedto printing oncylindrical or symmetrically curved surfaces, my machine beingespecially well suited for pressure printing onto irregularly curvedsurfaces. Among its other advantages are its capability ofsimultaneously printing multi-color impressions onto a plurality ofcurved surfaces, the exactness of registration of the printed impressionpossible with respect to any protuberance, such as a handle or the like,on the curved surface to be printed, its simplicity of design andoperation and its economy of manufacture, and the fact that theimpression borne by the transfer roller may be obtained from flat ratherthan curved impression plates. Further advantages and characteristics ofmy invention will appear from the following description read inconjunction with the drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a left side view of one embodiment of the machine of myinvention with certain parts removed;

Fig. 2 is a left side View of the embodiment of Fig. 1 shown in printingposition with certain parts removed;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the showing of Fig. 1 with certain partsremoved;

Fig. 4 is a front view of the showing of Fig. 2 with certain partsremoved;

5 is a front view of the showing of Fig. 1 with certain parts removed;

Fig. 6 shows a detail of part of the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 5;

r 2 Fig. 7 shows a detail of another part of the construction shown inFigs. 1 to 5;

Fig. 8 is a side view of the showing of Fig. 7, in printing position;

Fig. 9 is a partial left side view of another e-mbodiment of the machineof my invention;

Fig. 10 is a front view of the showing of Fig. 9 with certain partsremoved;

Fig. 11 is a sectional elevation corresponding to plane. -11 of Fig. 9but showing the machine in printing position;

Fig. 12 is a sectional elevation along the plane i2-l2 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged side view, with certain parts removed, of part ofthe showing ofFig. 11;

Fig. 14 is a sectional view along plane I l-l4 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a detail of part of the construction shown in Figs. 9 to 14;

Fig. 16 shows a detail of part of the construction shown in Figs. 1 to12, and v,

Fig. 1'7 is a cross-section along the plane 11-! I of Fig. 16.

Referring to the drawing (Figs. 1 to 12), the framework of the machineconsists of angle-iron legs I, 2, 3 and 4 held together by cross members5- inc. Impression plates 15 and I6 (Figs. 3, 4, 5, l0 and 11) shown forthe purpose of illustration in duplicate in the drawing and compris ingtogether the design to be printed, are secured to beds I! and I8respectively by clamping mem-- bers I9, 20, 21; 22, respectively (Fig.3). These beds are so located within the framework of the machine thatinked impression plates l5 and I6 transfer their ink impressions,registered, onto transfer roller 25 (see especially Figs. 3, 6 and 10)which travels over racks 21 and 28 (secured to the outside oflongitudinal cross members 5 and 8 respectively) via pinions 30 and 3|splined onto the ends of shaft 32 of roller 25. As shown in Fig. 6 butomitted from the other figures, handle 26 may be provided on the end ofshaft 32 to facilitate its movement. Beds l1 and 18 (Figs.

1, 2, 3, 5 and 11) are secured in this position, forinstance by pairs ofstraps 33 and 34 respectively holding angles 35 and 36 respectively,onto which beds I1 and I8 are attached, against'cross members 38 bymeans of wing nuts 39. r

The curved surface, for instance urn-shaped container 40 (Figs. 4, 5, 10and 11) onto which the composite impression obtained from impressionplates I5 and [6 (Fig. 3) is transferred via transfer roller 25, isrotatably supported on bed 3 width so that a plurality of containers 49can be mounted parallel to each other thereon. Thus the machine of myinvention is by no means limited to the illustrative showing of thedrawing of two containers 40 arranged in parallel. Suitable means forthis rotatable support is shown in Figs. 16'and 1'7. It comprises plates5| and 52 adjustably secured to block 53 (which in turn is secured tobed plate ll) by screws 54 passing through slots 55. These plates bearhinged to their outer ends plates 56 and 51 respectively,each bearing apair of rolls 58, 59 and 5t, 5! respectively, serving for the rotatablesupport of the curved surface to be printed, here shown as cylindricalcontainer 31 provided with a protruding handle 42. Conventional means(not shown in the drawing) are provided to enable p1ates56 and 51 to belocked in any desired position of inclination. Due to this manner ofconstruction, curved-sur faces of any dimensions within a wide range canbe rotatably supported merely by changing the relative positions ofplates 56 and 51. Furthermore, this manner of construction makespossible such a supporting of the curved surface to be printed that thepart to be printed of said curved surface offers a maximum parallelismto shaft 32 of transfer roller 25 (see especially Figs. 4, 5, 10 and11).

For transferring the impression carried by roller 25 onto the curvedsurface, for instance urn-shaped containers 4!] (Figs; 4; 5, 10 and 11)roller 25 is brought, by means hereinafter to be described, intoposition above said curved surface 40 whereupon it is compelled intoprinting engagement therewith by means" of arms 65, 69 (Figs. 1 to 5 and9 to 12, incl.) bearing roller pairs 23 and 24, the center line betweeneach pair of which lies in the same vertical plane as the center line ofshaft 32 of roller 25. These arms act via these roller pairs on oppositeends respectively of the top of shaft 32 of said roller 25. The forceexerted by these arms is sufiicient to bring the surface of roller 25into intimate contact with curved surface 40 to be printed. To assuresuch printing contact when non-cylindrical curved surfaces are printed,roller 25 preferably consists of a resiliently deformable material. Insuch case the force exerted by arms 65 and 66 on shaft 32 serves toresiliently deform said roller to such an extent that all parts to beprinted of the nonber is attached to the bottom ends of said rods 61 andB8 insuring that cross-arms 65 and 56 move together. For thereciprocation of rods 61 and 58 and of cross-arms 55 and 66 carriedrespectively thereby, plunger rod 94 of air cylinder 93 rigidlyconnected to cross-member I l is bolted to the center of cross-member15. Upon the admission of air under pressure into this cylinder, plungerrod 94 is forced downward-s, carrying with it crossepiece 15 and rods6'! and 68 so'th-at arms 65 and 6'6 are brought down onto shaft -32 oftransfer roller 25, compelling the latter into, printingre'ciprocates incylinder 83.

4 contact with curved surface 40. When said air is allowed to dischargefrom cylinder 93, springs 95 and as, one end of which is connected tocylinder 93 and the other to cross-piece "l5, serve to return plungerrod '94 into ai cylinder 93, thus raising arms 65 and 66 and releasingshaft 32 of roller 25. The admission and discharge of air into and fromcylinder 93 is effected by valve 15 actuated by foot pedal H (Figs. 1,2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10 and 11). Upon depression of foot pedal 17, main airline 99 coming from the compressed air source (riot shown in'th drawing)is placed in communication with line 98 and air under pressure isallowed to fiovv' into cylinder 93 through Y-connectioris 91 and line89. When foot pedal H is again in raised position the communicationbetween line 98 and main air line 99 is broken and line 98 is placed incommunication with the atmosphere', whereby the air in cylinder 93 isvented.

Various means may be employed for the positioning of transfer roller 25above the curved surface 49 to' be printed. In one embodiment, shown inFigs. 1 to 8 of the drawing, this means comprises parallel identicalplates 46 and 41 (see especially Figs. 2, '7 and 8) secured to andextending above cross-members 5 and 9 respectively and each providedwith opening 49 (Fig. 7) of sufficient size to receive shaft 32 ofroller 25 and to secure it against any substantial lateral movement.When shaft 32 is seated in these openings (Figs. 2, 4 and 8) roller 25-lies directly above the curved surface 49' to be printed with which itis brought into printing contact by arms 65 and 65 as described above.In this position pinion 35 on shaft 32 engages spur wheel 62. Shaft 63carrying the latter is journalled in bearing 54 (Figs. 1-5) which issupported by bracket 69 secured to leg 2 and cross-member 5. To pinprojecting from the face of spur wheel 62 there is connected in a freelyrotatable manner one end of angles'haped link 32, the other end of whichis rigidly attached to the free end of rod 8! connected to the plunger(not shown in the drawing) which The latter is pivotally carried inbracket '84 supported by plate I09 mounted on cross-member 7 (Figs. 1,2, 4 and 5). Upon the admission of air under pressure into said cylinder83, rod 9! is forced downward thus rotating spur wheel 62' and, viapinion 39, roller 25. When the air is permitted to discharge fromcylinder 83 rod 8| is returned to its upper position by compressionspring 85 surrounding same.

The relation between the number of teeth of wheel 62 and of pinion 39and the stroke of rod 85 can of course be selected so as to impart anydesired amount of rotation to roller 25 although this rotation will ingeneral preferably be a maximum of 360. With such relation determined,the amount of rotation of the roller can be decreased by a suitablestop, thus limiting the rotation of said roller 25 to anamount justsufficient to contact all the impression carried thereby with the curvedsurface 49. This, for instance, may be advisable where there is aprotuberance on the curved surface, such as a handle or the like.

The admission of air into cylinder 83 is so controlled that it takesplace only when cross-arms 65 and 66 have compelled roller 25, via shaft32, into printing contact with curved surface 49 to be printed. In thisposition of the roller, pin 29 (Figs. 7 and 8), slidably mounted inbracket 45 secured to the inside of plate 46, is depressed against theaction of sprin 10 surrounding said 5., pin, one end of said springbeing firmly connected to said pin and the other end resting againstbracket 45. Upon the upward motion of arms 65 and 66, pin 29 is forcedupward by spring 70, thus releasing pinion 30 from engagement with spurwheel 62.

The control of the air feed for cylinder 83 (Figs. 1-5 incl.) iseffected by means of valve 92 carried by bracket 18 extending downwardfrom crossmember 9. The means of actuation of this valve is as follows:Just before rod 94, and hence rods 6'! and 68 reciprocated thereby, hastraveled its maximum downward distance, shoulder 90 (Figs. 4 and 5),rigidly attached to rod 68, contacts handle 9| of valve 92, opening saidvalve and placing airline 8! in communication with line 88, which (pedalH bein depressed) is filled with air under pressure, via Y-connection esand line 98, so that air can flow into cylinder 83, thereby rotatingroller 25. When pedal Ti is again in raised position the air in cylinder83 is vented to the atmosphere via 3-way valve 16 and as rods 61 and 68move upwards under the action of springs 95 and 96, shoulder 96 ceasesto press down on handle 9| which then, under spring action, returnsupward closing valve 92 again.

Where it is desired to register the printing on the curved surface withrespect to some point thereon, for instance a handle (such as 42 ofcurved surface 31 shown in Figs. 16 and 1'7) or an irregularity in thecurve of suchsurface, or otherwise where the rotation imparted transferroll 25 is less than 360, it is necessary that roller 25 be sopositioned in slot 48 of opening 49 of plates 46 and 4'! (Fig. 7),before it is compelled into printing engagement by arms 65, 66 with thecurved surface 40 to be printed (Figs. 1-5) and hence before it isrotated via spur wheel 62, that upon rotation thereby the entireimpression carried by said roller 25 will be contacted with curvedsurface 40. For this purpose slots 48 (Fig. '7) are formed of a widthless than the diameter of shaft 32 of roller 25 to cooperate with flatsI and II]! (Fig. 6) to hold the shaft of said roller 25 against rotationand to determine that position in which the surface of said rollerinitially contacts curved surface 49 (Figs. l--8). It is to be notedthat this position will not coincide in general with the position ofsaid rol1er25 when in printing contact with curved surface '40 althoughsuch coincidence may take place where the curved surface to be printedis cylindrical. To further assist in registration the edges of plates 46and 41 disposed towards impression plate l and [6 (Figs. 1, 2,3 and '7)are sloped to provide a guide surface for flats IOI and I00 (Fig. 6)against which said flats may be slid into slots 48. The junction ofthese sloped guide surfaces of plates 46 and 4'! with longitudinalcrossmembers ,5 and 6 respectively is so positioned that when roller 25is moved, via pinions 30 and 3|, over racks 2'1 and 28 toward saidplates, flats I09 and NH come to rest against these guide surfaces(Figs. 1, 2, 3, 6 and '7). Thus when printing is terminated, roller 25is removed from slots 48, and pinions 39 and 3| are returned intoengagement with racks 27 and 28 by sliding fiats I00 and HH of rollershaft 32 down along said guide surfaces of plates 45 and 41. In this wayit is assured that when roller 25 is again moved via racks 21 and 28over impression plates and I6 (Fig. 3) the impression received on saidroller is exactly registered with the last impression.

Thus the method of operation of this embodimer t of the machine of myinvention is as 101- lows: The objectsdefinirlg the curved surfaces tobe printed (46, Figs. 4 and 5) are placed on 7 32 of said roller come torest against plates 46 Iii and 41 respectively (Figs. l-8). The rolleris then further moved with these flats in contact with the forewardguide surfaces of these plates and placed, via said flats, into slots48, said roller thus coming to rest with its surface in contact with thecurved surface to be printed (46). The operator then depresses footpedal H, arms 65 and 66 move down compelling roller into printingcontact with the curved surface, whereupon said roller is rotated viaspur wheel 62 to an extent sufficient to bring all of the impressioncarried by said roller into printing contact with said curved surface.When the rotation forward has terminated, the operator releases footpedal 11. whereupon spur wheel 62 returns roller 25 to its initialposition, and arms-65 and 66 move upwards releasing roller 25. Theoperator then removes roller 25 from slot 48, returning it on to thetable of the machine by sliding flats I00, IDI of shaft 32 down theguide surfaces of plate 46, 41 respectively until pinions and 3| enterinto engagement with racks 21 and 28 respectively. The roller is thenmoved back on said racks to the far end of the machine, the objectsdefining the printed curved surfaces (49, Figs. 4 and 5) are removedfrom rollers 58, 59 and 60, 6|, new objects are inserted and the machineis now ready for the printing operation to be repeated. In the eventthat the object defining the curved surface to be printed bears aprotuberance, for instance a handle (such as 42 of curved surface 31shown in Figs. 16 and 17), an adjustable stop 50 (Figs. 16 and 17) maybe provided on plate 5|. Said stop is so positioned as to provide anabutment surface for handle 42 of container 31, thus delimiting thepossible rotation of said container. The container is placed onthe'rotatable supports defined by rollers 58, 59 and 69, 6! in such amanner that handle 42 rests against the front side of stop 59. In thisway an exact registration of the printing with respect to said handle 42is assured.

In another embodiment cf the machine of my invention, shown in Figs.9-15 inclusivathe means for positioning transfer roller 25 above curvedsurface 46 to be printed comprises, similar to the first embodimentdescribed above, parallel, identical plates I32, :33 (Fig. 15) securedto crossmembers 5 and 6 respectively, The top of these plates, however,lies below the horizontal plane tangent to the bottom of shaft 92 ofroller 25, so that said roller may, while traveling over racks 2'! and28 via pinions 36 and 3! respectively, pass over said plates until shaft62 of said roller abuts against vertical extensions i356 and i3? carriedby plates G62 and I33 respectively. Said plates (Fig. 15) bear rollerpairs !38 and 39 respectively, which serve to rotatably support transferroller 2 5 when the latter is compelled into printing contact withcurved surface 46 by arms 65 and 56 acting on the ends of shaft 32(Figs. 9-15). Said roller pairs I36 and i2 9 are so positioned thatshaft 32 of transfer roller 25 does not contact them until said rolleris compelled downward into printing contact with curved surface 49 byarms 65 and 66 (as described above). In order to avoid any interferenceby plates 2 .2 and N53 with the seating of shaft 32 on the nip of saidamass-s roller pairs I33 and, I39, said: plates. are pro.-vided-respectively with recesses I36andv I31 (Fig. 15).. Thus when shaft32. moves downward under the action of arms 65 and. 66 it, slidesagainst extensions I34 and. I35 ofplates 46, and 41 respectively toseat. itself. on roller. pairs I38 and I39.

In this embodiment of my inventionthe means for the printing rotation ofroller 25; comprises spaced-racks Ill; H8 and H9, I20 respectivelymounted on slides I68,- I II. and I42, I43 respectively (Figs. 9, 10,11, 12, 13; 1.4). Theseracks are held apart by. springs I24, I25,I26surrounding pins I2I, I22, I23 (Figs.,9, 10,11, 13 and 14), the, endsof which slide inv borings I34; and I45, I46 and I41, I48 andv I49;respectively, provided in slides I40, I41 and I42; I43 respectively.Said slides are held in vertical alignment by lateral plate I28 and bycross-member gand the downward. extension thereof provided by. plate.I21 secured to cross-member 5 by. plate I50 (Fig. 14). Plate I 28 issecured to plate I2? by: means of block; I23 (Figs. 13 and 14). ShoulderIii on plate I28 forms the surface over which slide I42 carrying rack II9 moves, while flange IS'Qof said plate I28. servesto limit the'upwarddisplacement of slide I46 carrying rack: I I57.

This double rack device is so arranged on each side of the machine thatwhen flange I33 contacts, slide I48 (the normal position), racks II! andH3 form extensions of longitudinal racks 21 and 23 secured tocross-members 5 and 8 respectively, on which racks pinions sfi-and 3I oftransfer roller 25 travel. (Figs. 3, 9 and 13). However, whcn roller 25is clamped by arms 65' and 55 into printingcontact with the curvedsurface 49'. to be printed, and is thus forced downwards, racks I I7 andI I8 also descend to a corresponding extent due to the resilientmounting provided bysprings I24, I25 and I26 (Figs. 11, 13 andzle). Uponrelease, 1. e. upward motion, of arms 65 and 56* thesesprings serve toforce roller 25 upwards and thus out of printing contact with curvedsurface 48, and similarly toforce slides Ito; MI upwards against flangeI30 of plate I28, and: thus force racks II! and H8 into alignment oncemore with longitudinal racks 21' and 28 respectively (Figs. 9,

Plate I21 and block I29 are cut out to permit bottom racks I I9 and I28to engage with spur wheels III and H2 (Figs. 9, 12 and 13). Said spurwheels are arranged on each side of the machine, and are mounted oncommon axle II'3, supported in bearings II and H5 respectively (Figs. 10and 11). These bearings are mounted on brackets I5! and I52respectively, secured to cross members 6 and 9 respectively. Spur wheelsIII and II 2 are connected by eccentric rod IE8 parallel to axle II3(Figs; 9, 10, 11, 12). To the midpoint of rod I68 there is a pivotlyconnected rod I65 reciprocated by the plunger of air cylinder H32, whichlatter is supported in a pivotal manner in bracket IE3, secured to thetop of crossbeam I66 mounted on cross-members I and II) (Fig. 11).Spring IE? surrounding rod I85 abuts against collar I3! carried thereby.The actuation of this plunger is identical to that described in theforegoing in connection with the first embodiment and the principlesthere set forth are of equal application here. Spur wheels III and I I2are thus rotated to a given extent, translating racks He and I28 andthereby racks II? and III; away from longitudinal racks 27 and 28. Asduring the rotation, of spur wheels III and H2 roller 25 is clamped inprinting contact with curved surface. 4.0, and as.- furthertranslational movement of said roller is prevented, said roller iscausedito r ate. due to the translation of'said racks III; and M8, to anextent sufficient to contact all ofthe impression carried by said roller25 with curved surface 41];

The-method ofoperating this second embodiment; of the machineof myinvention is exactly the same as in, connection ,Wit-hthe first,embodiment, describedabove. The objects defining the curvedsurfaces tobe printed (48., Figs. 10 and 11) are. placed on the rotatable supportsdefined by rollers 58,59 and 60,- 6| (Figs. 10, 11, 16 and 17). If theobject defining the curved surface to be printed'is provided with aprotuberance, such as handle 42 (on curved surface 37 in Figs. 16, and17), adjustable stop 50. (Figs. 16 and 17) is first put inrsuchpositionon plateSI as to assure the desired registration of the handlewith said stop, and the object defining the curved surface to be printed(81 in Figs. 16 and 17) is rotated on rollers 58, 59; (Miami 6| untilhandle 42 rests against the front face ofstop 50. Roller 25 (Figs. 9-15)is moved overinked impression plates I5 and I6 (Fig. 3), via racks 2'1and 28 (Figs. 3, 9 and 13), and then into contact with extensions I34and I35 of plates-I32and I33'respective1y (Figs. 9, 12, 13-. and 15),via racks II! and H8 forming extensions of racks 27' and 28respectively. The operator then depresses foot pedal 7?, arms 65, '66move downwards and compel shaft 32 of roller 25" onto roller pairs I38and I39 borne by plates I32and I 33-respectively (Figs. 945), thusbringing roller 25'into printing contact" with the curved r surfacesIIl'to beprinted. As racks I I1 and H3 are resiliently supported bysprings I25, I25, I26 they are: likewise depressed due to the action ofarms 65 and 66. Printing contact having been thus effected betweentransfer roller 25 and curved surfaces 40, spur wheels III and H2commence their rotation (Figs. 10, 11, 12), whereby racks II! and II8move out, and roller 25 is rotated to an extentsufficient to contact allof the impression carried by said roller 25 with said curved" surfaceMi. When the rack has terminated its outward motion, the operatorreleases foot pedal 'I-I, whereupon racks I I? and H3 are returned totheir initial position by the backward rotation of spur wheels III andH2 respectively, arms 65 andBG move upwards releasing roller 25, andracks II I and I I8 return into alignment with longitudinal racks 21 and28 respectively. The operator then moves roller 25'back over racks IIIand 21., and H8 and 28 via pinions Stand 31 respectively to the far endof the-machine, removes the objects defining the printed curved surfacesII} from their holders, inserts new ones, and the machine is again readyfor another printing operation.

In conclusion of this description of the machine of my invention itshould be pointed out it is possible therewith to simultaneously printany numberof curved surfaces, from one to a number limited solely by thedimensions of the machine. The fact that twoobjects defining curvedsurfaces are shown in the drawing (Figs. 4, 5, 10 and 11) assimultaneously being printed in no way limits thegenericscope of myinvention. Nor is the particular shape of the glass surfaces shown inthe drawing (Figs. 4, 5, 10, 11, 16 and 1'7) intended toiri any wayrestrict the breadth of my invention, it being again emphasized herethat any shape of curved surface can be printed by the machine of myinvention. Furthermore, as is obvious, the particular means shown by mefor the actuation of spur wheels 62 (Figs. 1-5), and Ill and I 12 (Figs.9-14) and of clamping arms 65 and 66 (Figs. 1-5, 9-12) is notlimitative, electrical means, hydraulic means, mechanical means or knownoperating means of any knid being possible of use rather than thecompressed air means shown and described by me herein.

The foregoing description is merely by way of illustration and not oflimitation, it not being my intention that my invention be limited byany thing save the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a machine for printing on an article bearing a curved surface,including a flat inked impression plate, means rotatably supporting suchan article, a roller, an axle for said roller, at least one pinion onsaid axle, first means guiding said axle in a plane to bring said rollerinto rolling contact with and beyond said impression plate therebyimparting a transfer surface to said roller, at least one stop coactivewith said first means guiding delimiting the end position of said axlein said plane, second means guiding said roller from said end positioninto printing contact with said such article, and means for turning saidaxle adapted to engage said pinion when said roller is in said printingcontact, whereby said transfer surface is transferred to said sucharticle.

2. In a machine according to claim 1 the improvement that a gearconstitutes said means for turning.

3. In a machine according to claim 1, the improvement that areciprocable rack constitutes said means for turning and the portion ofsaid first means guiding adjacent said stop.

4. In a machine for printing on an article hearing a curved surface,including a, flat inked impression plate, means rotatably supportingsuch an article, a roller, an axle for said roller, at least one pinionon said axle, first means guiding said axle in a plane to bring saidroller into rolling contact with and beyond said impression plate,thereby imparting a transfer surface to said roller, at least one stopcoactive with said first means guiding delimiting the end position ofsaid axle in said plane, second means guiding said roller from said endposition into printing contact with said such article and adapted topositively maintain contact between said transfer surface and said sucharticle, and means turning said axle adapted to engage said pinion whensaid roller is in said printing contact, whereby said transfer surfaceis transferred to said such article.

5. In a machine according to claim 4 the improvement that a gearconstitutes said means for turning.

6. In a machine according to claim 4, the improvement that areciprocable rack constitutes said means for turning and the portion ofsaid first means guiding adjacent said stop.

7. In a machine according to claim 6, the improvement that said rack isresiliently mounted for movement in the direction corresponding to thedirection from said end position into printing contact.

8. In a machine for printing on an article bearing a curved surface,including a fiat inked impression plate, means rotatably supporting suchan article, a roller, 3, resiliently deformable covering on said roller,an axle for said roller, at least one pinion on said axle, first meansguiding said axle in a plane to bring said deformable covering intorolling contact with and beyond said impression plate, thereby impartinga transfer surface to said covering, at least one stop coactive withsaid first means guiding delimiting the end position of said axle insaid plane, second means guiding said roller from said end position intocontact with said such article and maintaining sufiicient force betweensaid transfer surface and said such article to deform such deformablecovering into intimate printing contact with said article, and means forturning said axle adapted to engage said pinion when said deformablecovering is in said intimate printing contact, whereby said transfersurface is transferred to said such article.

9. In a machine according to claim 8 the improvement that a gearconstitutes said means for turning.

10. In a machine according to claim 8, the imr provement that areciprocable rack constitutes said means for turning and the portion ofsaid first means guiding adjacent said stop.

11. In a machine according to claim 8, the improvement that said rack isresiliently mounted for movement in the direction corresponding to thedirection of application of said force onto said such article.

VINCENT J. TENETY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 900,073 Johnson Sept. 29, 19081,382,171 Corson June 21, 1921 1,904,332 Sidebotham Apr. 18, 19332,015,086 Paynter Sept. 24, 1935 2,015,669 Gravely Oct. 1, 19352,341,409 McDonell Feb. 8, 1944 2,442,102 Tenety May 25, 1948

